Enhanced data exchange and presentation/communication system

ABSTRACT

A system for establishing a dedicated internet connection between a user and a marketer is described. The connection is initiated by a customer downloading a framework program for a viewer. Thereafter, as content is communicated to the user, it is included with program code used with the framework program to enhance the presentation capabilities of the viewer. More robust presentations are thus enabled over a one-to-one channel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Non provisional applicationSer. No. 09/779,456 entitled “Enhanced Data Exchange andPresentation/Communication System” filed Feb. 9, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the dedicated exchange of electronic mediabetween two parties. This media exchange and presentation/communicationsystem integrates and enhances different types of media beforedelivering it to the intended party via the Internet.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As is now known, the Internet provides an extraordinary opportunity forexchange of information. The largest and most visible system is the useof web sites. People around the world who can access the Internet andwho have a web browser can access and view information on almost anytopic via a web site. This information can be rich in content such astext, graphics, photography, audio, video, etc.

The problem with these web site browsers is they do not all support thesame rich content. For example, Microsoft MSN does not support advancedJAVA script but Netscape does. Therefore, if a web site has contentusing advanced JAVA script, it cannot be seen as intended on an MSNsystem.

Another issue with web site browsers, even from the same company, isthat they are constantly updated with new features under new versions.Data designed using these new features cannot be seen on older versions.

With controlled access sites, data can be sorted and filtered even downto an individual's personal preference or profile. Again, theinformation comes from a large database that was programmed or posted inthe public system for viewing. The web site is basically filtering anddelivering a subset of that pre-programmed information to theindividual.

E-mail via the Internet is also a known means of exchanging information.E-mail employs a public distribution system designed to deliverinformation to an individual or group which works very much like thepublic postal system. People on an e-mail system can send a message toalmost anyone, if they know or can find out their e-mail address.

There are numerous e-mail systems available, such as Microsoft® OutlookExpress, America Online, Netscape, etc. E-mail is designed to delivercommon text messages and attachments within an agreed-upon protocol.Attachments are typically used to send non-text data to recipients.However, this information can only be viewed if the recipient has thesoftware to open the file format.

Some e-mail systems are now providing advanced features for sendingphotographs, voice messages and even HTML content. Most of the timethese more advanced capabilities are difficult to use, and aretherefore, seldomly used. In addition, because these advancedcapabilities are not built by standardized, system-wide protocols, theyare not supported on other e-mail systems. The recipient then sees afile that is reduced back to simple text.

There is another system supported on the Internet that is commonlyreferred to as network conferencing. These systems support a dedicatedchannel between one-to-one nor one-to-many parties via the Internet. Ina net conference, parties in different locations can exchange multipletypes of data in a real-time environment. They support voice exchange,live video, and the ability to view and change common data that is beingdisplayed on all computer screens involved in the conference. Thesesystems require a strict compatibility of software brand and version onall machines involved in the conference.

Internet web sites, e-mail and network conferencing systems work wellfor their intended use. On Internet web sites and e-mail systems,information is created and formatted and is then posted or sent toeither a targeted or non-targeted audience. Network conferencing systemsare useful for targeted situations and real-time exchange of informationcreated during or before the conference begins. These systems fall shortwhen they try to do each other's functions or work outside theirintended use.

The present invention addresses many of the shortcomings expressedabove, especially when users of the traditional systems attempt todeliver high quality presentations/communications information over theInternet.

This invention is designed to encourage the exchange of rich multimediapresentations/communications via a dedicated Internet pipeline betweenagreeable parties. Information is exclusively exchanged between theseparties and outside parties cannot input information into this pipelinewithout explicit permission. The only exception to this rule is with ahub computer, which sites in the middle of the pipeline to collectdifferent types of data. It also manages data exchange between theparties, combines different types of data, and even enhances the datafor a richer presentation/communication.

In a preferred embodiment, the primary party providing informationinitiates an encounter with another party who would like to carry on anexchange of information via this dedicated Internet pipeline. In adirect exchange, the primary provides the receiving party with thesoftware to begin the exclusive exchange of information. The softwarecan be delivered by giving the person a CD/DVD, a floppy disk, an e-mailwith the software attached, a web site location for the download, etc.In alternative embodiments, the receiving party subscribes to thepresentation/communication system by initiating an encounter with theprimary party after stumbling upon a web site, receiving a directe-mail, etc. In either embodiment, the receiving party makes the initialdecision to install an executable file onto the computer desktop tobegin the communication exchange.

Once the receiving party selects to install the software, regardless ofhow it was obtained, the executable file performs a number of initialinstallation functions. It establishes a dedicated pipeline forinformation exchange, enables a scheduling function, and pulls downintroductory information from the Hub.

First, the executable file loads a customized minimum framework forexecuting a viewer-type interface into the receiving party's computermemory (for example, the hard drive). The executable file also locatesthe receiving party's Internet connection (for example, an AmericaOnline connection, MSN connection, LAN connection, etc.) or apre-defined Internet connection. It then links the receiving party'sviewer to the hub via the Internet on a dedicated URL associated withthe Hub.

In addition to the viewer, an entry (a unique identifier) isautomatically made into a database on the hub that links the two partiesfor exclusive data exchange via this newly established pipeline. Thispipeline will now download an introduction to the receiving party'scomputer. At the same time the primary party is notified that thereceiving party has installed the software and the dedicated pipeline isestablished.

A scheduling program is then enabled that will later wake up the viewerand perform a two-way data exchange with the hub. All new informationfrom the primary party is downloaded at that time, and information fromthe receiving party is uploaded.

Finally, the executable program creates a desktop icon on the receivingparty's computer. The icon sends an alarm (flashing or audio) to thereceiving party anytime new information is downloaded to their computerhard disk. Therefore, at any time, the receiving party can click on theicon and instantly view large, sophisticated and rich multimediapresentations/communications from the hard disk.

When the program assigns the receiving party a unique identifier, thehub will recognize the identifier and deliver to the party whateverappropriate files are awaiting the party. Any time after the pipeline isestablished, the primary party can interact with the hub to scheduleand/or create information for distribution. The hub will take differentdata types (such as jpg images, sound files, i/o programs, etc.) andcombine them with the display code into a single file that can be viewedon the receiving party's computer. Integrating the different types ofdata and combining them with the display code is done through a numberof different programs called “TransLets” (Translation Applications). Theresulting output file from a TransLet is a “ComLet” (CommunicationApplications) which is downloaded to the receiving party's computer.This information will be transferred to the receiving party's computerautomatically by the scheduler at specified intervals. Two-wayinformation can also be exchanged through the hub by using the scheduleror by directly clicking the transfer icon.

Although the particular kind of interaction between the parties can varywidely and remain within the scope of the present invention, the presentsystem in essence establishes a dedicated communication link between theparties using the Internet as a delivery conduit. This system allows forrobust multimedia presentations/communications to be enhanced andexchanged.

As a further aspect of the present invention, the viewer residing on therecipient's desktop, acts as a light framework for the execution ofprogram files that are downloaded from the hub. The viewer can thus beviewed as a kernel which provides core viewer functions made complete bya program received (ComLet) from the hub. The kernel is thus completelyunlike a classic Internet browser which receives only content to bedisplayed via the established browser protocol. On the other hand, thepresent viewer kernel becomes a completely different viewer mediadepending on whatever program routines are pulled from the hub to theviewer. This also eliminates any problem with incompatible viewers orout-of-sink (sp? sync) versions because all of the data critical displayinformation is delivered in the ComLet.

Thus, the present kernel with one routine (ComLet) is a completelydifferent program than the kernel with a newly sent routine (ComLet). Inother words, the kernel acts as a framework by which program routinescan be sent from the hub to the user for varied and robust presentation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These, as well as other objects and advantages of this invention, willbe more completely understood and appreciated by careful study of thefollowing more detailed description of a presently preferred exemplaryembodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanydrawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a prior art content deliverysystem;

FIG. 2 is a content delivery system in accordance with an exampleembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an example content deliverysystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an example user desktop and viewer in accordance with anexample embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5 through 7 are example embodiments of a viewer in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 8 is an example embodiment of a mailbox at the subscriber stationin accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a user reply screen at the viewer in accordance with anexample embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is an example client command center; and

FIGS. 11 through 14 are client screens within the command center of, forexample, FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a direct linkbetween two parties on a public network, enabling a business-to-consumercommunication in which the consumer receives very high resolution imagesand product presentations that he or she requests, without encounteringtypical problems associated with the Internet including the receipt ofunwanted messages, viruses, etc. In the preferred embodiment, a consumergives initial permission for the present invention to be loaded onto thedesktop of the user's computer, by for example, running a CD,downloading an Internet file, downloading an e-mail application, etc.Thereafter, when the user clicks on an icon located on the desktop, theuser receives very high resolution images and product presentations thathave been pre-selected for the user by a business entity. The presentinvention provides substantially improved levels of communicationbetween businesses and potential/existing customers, while giving theconsumer the freedom to engage themselves in the marketing environmentat their leisure (as consumers have become accustomed to doing on theInternet).

The present invention is substantially improved over traditional e-mailsystems because it establishes a dedicated link between the consumer andthe business. Traditional e-mail has become a large junk-mail box,filled with unwanted and many times undesirable messages. Because e-mailis a free service, it is open for anyone to send anything to anyone else(including viruses). The ability to use e-mail as a dialog mechanismbetween a consumer and a business which have previously determined thatthey want to engage in business or marketing exercises is a poor choicedue to the saturation of the e-mail environment. Further, e-mail islimited as a medium because it delivers simple text messages. Althoughsome computer savvy individuals have employed the e-mail environment toproduce quality multi-media presentations, those users are constrainedby the computer configurations and program versions that exist on theirrecipient's computers. Generally, in such cases people use executablefiles to deliver quality presentations through e-mail, but the files arelengthy, are limited to applications (and application versions) on thecomputer that can read them, frequently contain viruses and otherundesirable material, etc. As a result, users are understandablyapprehensive about opening such e-mails.

The World Wide Web compensates for many of e-mail's shortcomings. On theweb, one can find information on almost any topic, even in the form ofimpressive multi-media presentations. As with e-mail, however, a personmust have a reasonable knowledge of computer programming and an artisticflare in order to create and deliver an impressive presentation on theweb. Although authoring tools exist that make it easier for individualsto develop web sites, web site building is a skill that the averageperson does not possess. Furthermore, web sites do not lend themselvesto customization for individual consumers, but instead transmitinformation on a one-to-many model.

The present invention provides a one-to-one dialog that provides highquality media presentations to the user via the public network, bututilizes a dedicated channel to provide it. As shown in FIG. 1, theprior art user computer will employ an operating system 6 with a browser4, an Internet connection (IX), a viewer application associated with thebrowser. When the user of the user computer desires content from aserver 2 on the Internet, the browser requests the content file 1 andthe server 2 delivers the content file through the Internet connection 3to the browser of the user computer. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, thecontent file 1 must follow a format that is understandable by thebrowser. That is, the browser 4 provides all of the executable filesnecessary to create a viewing environment for the user, and simply needsthe data content desired to be displayed. Of course, different types ofcontent formats can be viewed at the user computer by installing viewerplug-ins 5 of various application types. Each viewer plug-in is able torender one or more different types of content in particular formats.

On the other hand, the present invention is a completely differentmethodology of viewing content from the Internet. As shown in FIG. 2,the computer 10 has a standard operating system 11, a standard Internetconnection 14 providing Internet connectivity to the Internet 15, and(optionally) a standard browser 13. In accordance with this exampleembodiment, a kernel program 12 provides a base level framework forcreating high quality multimedia presentations on the monitor associatedwith the computer 10. The kernel itself is not a complete viewerprogram, but will only be completed when it receives executable programcode from the hub 16 in accordance with the descriptions that follow.

The hub 16 creates so-called comlets which consist of content datatogether with executable program codes. The comlet 17 is thus much morethan a simple content package like that shown in FIG. 1 since itcontains not only data for display, but includes a completion of thecode itself needed to create the viewer environment on which the contentwill be displayed.

Once the comlet 17 is communicated by the hub 16 through the Internet 15to the computer 10, it is executed in the kernel 12 in order to createthe full viewing multimedia environment on the user monitor associatedwith the computer 10. As can be seen in a comparison of FIGS. 1 and 2,the computer 10 in accordance with the example embodiment described doesnot have a viewer resident. This is advantageous because eliminating theviewer on the computer eliminates the constraint that the contentprovided must conform with the protocols and formats understandable bythe viewer. In the example embodiment, the kernel 12 need neverunderstand the format, protocol, etc. of the content of the comlet 17because the executable files being delivered with the content in thecomlet 17 will execute on the content data independently of the kerneloperations at the computer 10.

Thus, one can envision the kernel 12 as a core viewer functionality(i.e., setting the stage for the creation of a viewer), which corefunctions are then modified, enhanced, rewritten, etc. as necessary bythe program code in the comlet 17. The comlets 17 that are downloadedare themselves partial programs (akin to an .EXE file that may alsorequire one or more .DLL files which are executable by the computer 10in the context of the framework of the kernel 12. By analogy, the kernel12 is akin to the .DLL file that allows the comlet (.exe) program torun. One can thus see that the capabilities of the computer 10 to createthe multimedia presentations for the subscriber are no longerconstrained by the capabilities of a standard Internet viewer orbrowser. Since the kernel 12 provides only the framework by which thecomlet code will be executed, there are no longer any viewercapabilities, file capabilities, etc. which constrain the operation ofthe viewer that is ultimately written by the comlet execution.

The invention of FIG. 2 thus operates substantially differently than theprior art of FIG. 1. In the prior art of FIG. 1, the browser understandsonly a fixed protocol (for example ASCII, HTML, JAVA, etc.) and outsidethat protocol it will not work. Further, the browser cannot extenditself with new capabilities, but is limited to the capabilitiesprogrammed into it. Of course, one can download a new browser or anupdated browser program into the user computer via the Internet from abrowser provider, but the new browser will suffer the same problems inthat it cannot perform outside of its fixed specifications andcapabilities.

The general operation of the kernel 12 will now be described. As shownin FIG. 2, the kernel 12 and appropriate comlets 17 are resident on thehard drive 18 of computer 10. During the installation process, thekernel 12 connects to the Internet 15 (via the Internet connection 14),establishes a unique subscriber ID (cookie) from the hub 16, and thendownloads some default “welcome” comlets 17 onto the hard drive 18. Itthen disconnects from the hub 16 and runs the viewer created byoperation of the kernel 12 in conjunction with one of the downloadedcomlet 17.

Unlike a traditional browser 4, the present user does not connect to theInternet by invoking the viewer. He simply runs the viewer from the harddrive and is able to browse comlets already on the computer.

New comlets are loaded onto hard drive 18 by one of two operations.First, the user can explicitly request new content by clicking on anupdate button contained on the viewer frame. Then, an Internetconnection is created if necessary, causing the kernel to request newcontent (if any) from the hub. Also, the kernel runs a background daemonthat checks for periods of inactivity, and then periodicallyautomatically connects to the hub to see if any new comlets areavailable for the user. The idea is to not make the user wait, but havenew content preloaded before he sits down at the computer.

Therefore there are three unique times when the kernel 12 connects tothe Internet 15: 1) during the installation process to obtain a uniquesubscriber ID, 2) at the request of a user while he is running theviewer, and 3) at the request of the daemon at a predefined time tocheck for new content.

The viewer created by the kernel 12 in conjunction with any of thecomlets 17 is commercially and herein referred to as the BeeZip viewer.With the BeeZip viewer of FIG. 2, the kernel 12 is a lightweightframework for the content 17 to express itself by whatever protocols andwhatever instructions are provided in the program code associated withinthe comlet 17. The comlet 17 is thus adding code (executable programs)to the kernel 12, which codes will be routines that the kernel 12 usesto extend its own capabilities beyond that which were otherwiseprogrammed into it. Thus, each comlet 17 not only defines its owncontent, but also the presentation by which the content will berendered. In some instances, the content and viewer program code in thecomlet 17 will be a complete software viewer program in and of itselfsuch that when new comlets 17 are provided by the hub 16, the kernel 12can create a wholly different viewer than was previously rendered.

The comlets 17 are creative in and of themselves, but they become evenmore useful within the context of the system of FIG. 3. FIG. 3illustrates a system of three Internet entity types: authors 20 whichwill typically be employees of a publisher (i.e., any business entity orother entity), the hub 16 (see FIG. 2), and the subscriber 22 (who willbe working typically on the user computer 10 of FIG. 2). The BeeZipviewer described previously with respect to FIG. 2 will ultimately existon the subscriber 22 computer. The BeeZip viewer supports a wide varietyof media, including high-quality graphics, photographs, e-mail, music,voice messages, video, interactive programs, etc., all depending solelyupon the type of viewer program code provided in the comlet 17 deliveredby the hub 16. Also, for each publisher, a different kernel might beinstalled on the associated subscribers' computers. The kernels arestored in different folders, and are completely independent of eachother both functionally and conceptually. Each kernel has an embeddedknowledge of the business entity is to communicate with. Although onlyone hub 16 is shown in FIG. 3, many hubs can be employed. Each businesscan operate on different or common hubs. Each business has a UNIQUE urlthat identifies it to whichever hub(s) it is employing. The aspects ofthe viewer on the subscriber 22 computer 10 are shown in greater detail,for example, in FIGS. 5-9.

A further entity of the system of FIG. 3 is the Authoring Interface 25,which may be separate as shown in FIG. 3 or may be an applicationresident at the publisher, author 20, or hub 16. The author interfacecoordinates the translation of raw information from the authors 20 intocomlets 17 via appropriate translet routines. The authoring facilityfurther includes a control center 26 which coordinates the submissionand distribution of comlets to/from appropriate subscribers 22.

The hub 16 includes a subscriber interface 23 which interacts with thevarious subscribers 22, usually by the Internet. Although the subscriberinterface 23 communicates with the subscribers 22 typically through apublic network, such as the Internet, subscriber interface 23establishes a dedicated communication link with the subscriber 22 as aresult of the unique operation of the example embodiment.

That operation begins with the subscriber 22 voluntarily electing tocreate the dedicated connection to an author (actually to the hub 16 butfrom the subscribers' perspective, to the author).

The installation sequence takes place as follows:

1) the kernel copies program files to the hard disk.

2) An icon is placed on the desktop.

3) A connection to the Internet is established.

4) A Unique Subscriber ID is obtained from the hub given from thekernel's embedded URL.

5) A set of default comlets (generally “welcome” comlets) are downloadedto the user's machine.

6) The connection is dropped if necessary (like a dialup).

7) The connection scheduling daemon is started (invisible to the user).It is restarted at each boot-up (invisible to the user).

8) Upon user selection, the viewer is started and shows the comlets thatare available to browse.

After the installation, the user should notice that every once in awhile (hopefully every day or two), the desktop icon shows that newcontent has arrived. By clicking on the icon, new content is availablefor browsing. The user can also manually check for new content if hesuspects he has new content ready for him.

The creation of the dedicated channel can be described in an examplesuch as where a realtor makes a personal contact with a potentialhomebuyer and thereafter wishes to maintain close communication with theprospect within the example system. In such a case, the realtor may handthe subscriber 22 a CD that has an executable file associated with theexample embodiment of the present invention. When the subscriber 22 runsthe CD in the computer 10, the computer is instructed to perform theabove-described tasks.

When the subscriber clicks on the icon, the viewer (from the hard drivekernel and welcome comlets) appears. From the subscriber's viewpoint,the subscriber has simply clicked on a logo and instantly entered aviewer environment associated with the entity whose logo was on thesubscriber's desktop even though the user does not necessarily have aninstant/active connection to the Internet. Thus, it appears to thesubscriber that the subscriber has initiated a directbusiness-to-consumer contact between the business entity and thesubscriber. In reality, however, the kernel 12 previously communicatedwith the hub 16, which has made the appropriate identifications of thesubscriber and the publisher/author initiator so as to return theappropriate content to the subscriber 22 in accordance with the logoselected, loaded comlets onto the hard drive and ran the kernel/comletsupon initiation by the subscriber 22.

This feature is more particularly shown in FIG. 4 where the subscriber22 has downloaded to different BeeZip viewer files onto their computer10 corresponding to two different viewer entities (such as, viewerentities #1 and on #2 on FIG. 3). In this case, one icon is associatedwith a clothing manufacturer (icon 33) and the other is associated witha motorcycle dealership (icon 34). When the user clicks on icon 33, thekernel/comlets associated with the clothing manufacturer are run fromthe hard drive appearing to the subscriber as a viewer. The clothingmanufacturer kernel will also from time to time coordinate with the hub16 to receive new clothing manufacturer comlets, as directed by theauthor 20. When the hub 16 receives a message 35 from the kernelassociated with the clothing manufacturer, it knows the identity of thesubscriber 22, and the identity of the clothing manufacturer associatedwith that kernel. At that time (the viewer may or may not be active),the hub 16 returns all of the comlets 17 in a message 36 to the kernelfor downloading to the hard drive 18. Then, the next time the subscriber22 clicks on icon 33, new clothing manufacturer content/program will beready on the hard drive for execution.

On the other hand, if the user clicks on the icon 34, the kernelassociated with the motorcycle manufacturer will run the pre-loadedcomlets associated with that manufacturer. Similarly, that kernel willalso send, from time to time, message 37 to the hub 16 (also via theInternet 15) identifying the motorcycle dealer associated with icon 34(as opposed to the clothing manufacturer associated with icon 33) andthe subscriber 22 identity. The hub 16 therefore knows the subscriberand the motorcycle dealer and returns message 38 with appropriatecomlets to created the viewers 30 associated with the motorcyclemanufacturer. The next time the subscriber 22 clicks on icon 34. One cansee that a subscriber may load onto their desktop a number of BeeZipicons which will run substantially different viewers 30, depending onthe particular icon selected. Thus, the viewer 30 may see rich graphicsassociated with a clothing catalog if the user selects the clothing icon33, but may see high quality photographs of motorcycles at a dealershipif the user selects the motorcycle icon 34. Further, the viewer itselfcan be modified to reflect a completely different kind of viewingenvironment tailored to the motorcycle or clothing content presented.The viewer 30 created by the system is thus completely tailored to theparticular content being delivered.

Returning to FIG. 3, one can see that publisher #1 and publisher #2 canhave a number of associated authors 20 that communicate with thesubscriber 22 (and other subscribers as well). Further, each publishercan place an icon on the subscriber 22 desktop 32, provided thesubscriber 22 grants permission for the icon to be placed there (byloading the software via CD, Internet download, etc.). Once the icon isplaced, the subscriber 22, the associated author 20, the publisherassociated with the author 20, etc. are all identified by the hub 16 asdesiring the dedicated channel of communication. The identification ofeach of the entities associated with a particular icon can be embeddedinformation in the URL request initiated by the computer 10 via theInternet connection 14, such as is presently accomplished usingso-called “Cookies.”

The hub 16 includes an author-side interface 24 to interact with each ofthe authors 20 (possibly via an authoring interface 25) and a subscriberside interface to interface with the many subscribers 22.

The authoring interface 25 allows the authors 20 to custom tailorinformation that will be received by their respective subscribers usingthe screens shown in FIGS. 10-14 and described below. A control enter 26coordinates the receipt of instruction from authors 20, delivery ofcomlets to the data accumulation routine 27, and the creation of comletsfrom raw material received from the authors 20. The Command Center 26may alternatively reside on the hub 16 or on the author computers,although it is conceptually and functionally independent of the hub 16and authors 20. The authoring interface 25 in FIG. 3 also includes avariety of functional routines that assist the client authors increating the robust messages sent to the subscriber 22 in order tocreate the viewers. The authoring interface 25 can translate primitiveinformation (simple text, images, music, etc.) into a final presentationto be seen by the subscriber 22. Ordinarily, client authors have neitherthe time nor the desire to write the program code described above withrespect to the comlets 17. Accordingly, the authoring interface 25translates simple primitive data received from the client author intothe robust final information viewed by the subscriber 22 by convertingthe content received by the client author into the content plusprogrammable code associated with the comlets 17. Standard routines fortaking, for example, text and converting into a robust letterpresentation, are pre-programmed as the various translets 1-n shown inFIG. 3. In one example, the authoring interface 25 takes the primitivedata submitted by the author 20 and lays it into a template that createsa final presentation code that can be employed by the subscriber 22computer 10 to execute the viewer. Using the author interface 25, verylittle work is required of the author 20, except to provide the basecontent to be delivered to the subscriber 22 in the format of the robustpresentation desired.

The authoring interface 25 is not limited to receipt and translation oftext or images. In the text example embodiment, an author 20 may sendraw basic text to the authoring interface 25 for translation into arobust business letter graphic. But the authoring interface 25 is notlimited to just text type translations. The authoring interface 25permits the author 20 to use music, voiceovers, audio, graphics, text,videos, montages, collages, etc. to present the raw data provided by theauthor 20 in a robust form to the subscriber 22. In each case, theauthoring interface 25 accepts the primitive information from the clientauthor 20 (via the Internet, telephone, etc.) and loads it into atemplate which is then translated into the appropriate program codes toinstruct the kernel 12 to render the viewer.

A translet does the following:

1) Converts raw data into appropriate internal formats and sizes. Forexample, the user may submit a raw image in .bmp format, and thetranslet may scale, enhance, annotate, and change the image into anotherformat before compiling it into a translet.

2) Creates program code in some instances to deal with the variableinput that may be received in the composition phase.

3) Compiles the translated raw data, generated program code, templatecode, and template media into final comlet.

The command center 26 and Translets can be either web-based applicationsor traditional computer-local applications. The command center 26 maycontain some translets, such as the letter comlet translet (because itis so generic). However, other more specialized translets (like a hometour translet) would be more appropriate outside of the command center26 because it is very specialized.

The hub 16 is responsible, primarily, for accumulating comlets fordelivery to/from the subscriber 22. When the kernel 12 makes a nextconnection to the hub 16. As previously described, connections areinitiated by either the subscriber 22 at the timing desired by thesubscriber 22 or at regular events initiated by the kernel 12. Contentwhich the author 20 has instructed the hub 16 to prepare in anticipationof a next access by the kernel 12 is maintained in the data accumulationentity 27, which accumulates information for the subscriber 22.

The example system is substantially better than existing data miningsystems because, prior to any substantive interaction with thesubscriber 22, the hub 16 learns exactly who the subscriber is andexactly which publisher the subscriber has requested a dialog with. Anew subscriber may even be unaware of which author or authors aregenerating and sending content to him, at least early in the dialog.Likewise, when he generates a reply to the author, he doesn'tnecessarily know which author or authors might receive his reply.

The data accumulation entity 27, records for the author 20, eachinstance in which the subscriber 22 initiates contact with the publisherassociated with the author 20, the time of such access, the requestsmade by the subscriber, the downloads provided to the subscriber,replies made by the subscriber, etc. This also permits the hub 16 toaccumulate data in the data accumulation entity 27 regarding subscribersthat do not access the viewer entity for a pre-determined period oftime. Thus, a subscriber 22 who loads a realtor's kernel into theircomputer and makes an initial connection to the hub 16 can be directlycontacted by the author 20 if the hub 16 notifies the author 20 that thesubscriber has not communicated with the hub 16 for a period of acertain number of weeks (for example). Thus, the hub 16 is able toaccumulate data both on what the subscriber does, and does not do, inassociation with the hub 16. Further, the hub 16 can automaticallyprovide callups to the authors 20 when the subscriber's owned by thepublisher do not hear from the subscriber. In such cases, an author 20can automatically notify the hub 16 that, after a pre-determined periodof inactivity, the subscriber 22 is to receive a custom graphics viewercontaining a follow-up letter from the author 20.

In general, because a subscriber may download a kernel from the Internetor obtain it through a mass distribution of CD ROMS, the subscriber mustnecessarily initially receive generic welcome content from thepublisher. However, if the author meets the subscriber before theinstallation and they agree on a username, then the author can replacegeneric content with specific content tailored for the subscriber by“pre-registering” the subscriber before the subscriber installs thekernel.

Such interaction between the author 20 and the subscriber 22 (eachoperating at their own respective pace) is provided as a result of thededicated channel and robust media presentations enabled by the presentinvention.

FIGS. 5-9 are example BeeZip viewer screens. As one can see from just acursory review of these examples, the information presented issubstantially more robust than could be provided in an e-mailenvironment. Further, the viewer's shown in FIGS. 5-9 are eachcustomizable to a publisher such that the viewers can be completelydifferent for one publisher versus another publisher, completely withoutregard to the applications (including the kernel 12) that reside on thecomputer 10. FIGS. 5-9 are thus examples to illustrate how the kerneland/or comlets 17 create high resolution messages on a dedicated channelto the subscriber.

FIGS. 5 and 9 represent screens that are generated within the kernel;while FIGS. 6-8 are generated by comlets. FIG. 5 is part of theinstallation process. FIG. 9 represents the generic reply capabilitybuilt into the viewer. In the examples of FIGS. 6-8, the comlets prettymuch stay within the same framework (the round viewer). Although this isperhaps a prescribed friendly behavior for a comlet, a comlet couldalways break the rules and pretty much draw any presentation that itwants. In a preferred embodiment, the framework (for example,represented by the round viewer) is a default for anykernel/(business/publisher entity). However, this framework could have acompletely different appearance (like a stop sign shaped viewer) for adifferent business/publisher entity. In FIG. 5, an introductory vieweris created when the subscriber first loads the CD, downloads the file,etc., that is has been provided to the subscriber by the publisher orauthor 20 (the business). In the example of FIG. 5, the subscriber hasalready downloaded the kernel, has indicated that it is a new BeeZipsubscriber, and sends that message to the hub 16. In response, the hub16 assigns a unique identifier to the subscriber 22 (since this is thefirst time the subscriber has accessed the hub 16 for this particularviewer entity), records the publisher associated with the subscriber 22software that was just downloaded (via the CD, Internet download, etc.),and returns comlets 17 associated with the particular viewing entity andclient author 20. In the example of FIG. 6, a comlet is being executedfrom the hard drive by the kernel 12. FIG. 6 is an example originalintroductory “response” information from a realtor associated with arealtor organization called D. R. Horton.

In this example, the realtor, Sue Morgan, is the “author” 20, and the“publisher” is the employer D. R. Horton. FIG. 6 appeared when thesubscriber clicked on the D. R. Horton icon, causing the kernel to readthe appropriate FIG. 6 comlet that had previously been received by thecomputer 10 and stored in the hard drive. To the subscriber, it appearsthat he has a dedicated communication connection to D. R. Horton via thedesktop icon.

As one can see in FIG. 6, the information provided in the comlet 17associated with FIG. 6 is substantially more impressive than what can beprovided in an e-mail communication. Thus, the present invention isdramatically unlike e-mail communication even though each providesdedicated addressing to a recipient. In the example embodiment, theprogram code that is travelling with the content in the comlet 17permits the computer 10, in association with the kernel 12, to createbeautiful and impressive multimedia marketing presentations and to do sovia dedicated channel communication between the hub and the subscriber.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example letter presented to the subscriber 22 fromthe author 20 via a previously downloaded comlet. As previouslydescribed, the information in the letter was first provided to theauthoring interface 25 by the author 20 in simple text format. Theauthoring interface 25 then converted (using a translet) the simple textinto the rich graphics seen in FIG. 7 for delivery as comlets to thesubscriber 22. The next time the subscriber 22 clicked the appropriateicon, the resident kernel ran with the then resident comlet and createdthe viewer shown.

FIG. 8 is an example viewer which identifies each of the new messagesdelivered to the subscriber 22 by the author 20 (sometimes directly andsometimes indirectly) since the last time the kernel 12 accessed the hub16. For each of the items in FIG. 8, the subscriber can select the itemand immediately execute the viewer program code of the associated comlet17 for the selected messages because the necessary information hasalready been locally stored at the computer 10.

In the preferred embodiment, the hub 16 can download all comletsassociated with all of the content that the subscriber 22 has not seensince it last time it was accessed hub 16. Thus, the data accumulator 27can download all of the appropriate comlets associated with all of thedifferent viewers that the subscriber 22 has not yet seen immediatelyupon the subscriber 22 accessing to the hub 16. In such an instance,when the subscriber makes a selection from FIG. 8, the kernel 12 findsthe appropriate comlet from the memory of the computer 10, executes theappropriate program code for the selected comlet 17, imposes the contentdata of the comlet 17, and renders the appropriate viewer as selected.

FIG. 9 illustrates another example viewer that has been created by thekernel 12 for the subscriber 22 to record and send a note back to theassociated author 20.

On the subscriber-side of the hub 16, the subscriber-side interface 22provides information back to the author 20 regarding the activities ofthe subscribers that are “owned” by the author (or publisher). In FIG.10, a command center homepage provides a report to an author 20 whenevera kernel at author 20 computer periodically accesses the hub 16. First,one can see that the subscribers (who are “clients” to the author 20)are listed by name and ID in the “client detail” section. In thissection, the author 20 can update and record information regarding thesubscribers described. In the next section, the comlets prepared by theparticular author 20 are listed by title, ID, etc. Messages recorded bythe author 20 to the hub 16 are also identified in the message historysection. Finally, a group participation section identifies activityassociated with groups of subscribers that have been grouped accordingto the authors' preferences. In FIG. 11, the client command centercontinues from FIG. 10. Here, messages from each of the subscribers 22are listed for the author 20. Thus, the first entry records that a newsubscriber “Bob Cufflink” accessed the hub on Nov. 16, 2005. Repeatsubscribers are also listed together with the date that they accessedthe hub 16. Finally, messages from the various subscribers that havebeen written directly to the author 20 are recorded in FIG. 11. The pageon FIG. 11 can be used by the author to select all new subscribers, forexample, to deliver a new subscriber welcome viewer (for example, FIG. 6or FIG. 7).

FIG. 12 illustrates the list of subscribers associated with the author20 and the list of viewers that are presently available to the authorfor sending to the respective subscribers. Using the page on FIG. 12,the author 20 can quickly checkmark various subscribers “owned” by thatauthor and select comlets to be sent to the respectively selectedsubscribers. Thus, in FIG. 12, the author may select “foo bar”subscriber to receive the “about D. R. Horton . . . Hi Bob” slides. Whenthe author 20 selects “foo bar” and the “slide presentation,” thatcontent (the comlets associated therewith) is loaded into dataaccumulator 27 for delivery to subscriber “foo bar” the next time thatsubscriber's kernel accesses the hub 16. Thus, the subscriber gets theimpression that the author 20 is in a direct one-to-one dialog with thesubscriber, even though the author 20 is actually quickly and easilycreating high resolution marketing products for the subscribers via hub16.

FIG. 13 continues the subscriber list of FIG. 12 and begins (at thebottom of FIG. 13) the “groups” of subscribers that have been arrangedaccording to the preferences of the author 20. The “groups” continue onpage 14, with the group identified as “prospects” being listed. The“groups” box operates as a typical group selection facility in which theauthor 20 can select a larger number of subscribers by simply clickingthe group associated with those subscribers.

The combination of a dedicated dialog channel between business andcustomers, together with the presentation of viewers created by thedelivery of both content and executable code such that marketingpresentations are substantially more robust, has not been presentlyseen. This advantageous combination presents a large number of possibleenvironments for use including the following:

Daily Shopping

Companies that offer daily deals found on the Internet admit that thebiggest problem they have is their customers' reluctance to log on eachday and view the deals. Many have started to implement email systemsthat inform their customers of a deal in which they might be interested,hoping that the email will not get lost amidst other emails and will beread before the deal expires. With BeeZip, the authors provide a qualitypresentation of their information through the BeeZip viewer. This wouldallow the consumer to enjoy high quality presentations typicallyassociated with Web page presentations, yet without having to log ontothe Web, or wade through email.

Network Shopping

Internet companies would love to offer their customers the ability topurchase their product without having to stay on-line. With BeeZip, theInternet companies interact with the hub on their schedule andsubscribers interact on their own schedule. Further, BeeZip downloadsall comlets at one time to the subscriber and thereafter releases thesubscriber's computer to execute the comlet code, run the content, andthereby render the data, without intervention by the Internet companyservers. This further makes the shopping experience more pleasant forthe customer, resulting in greater goodwill for the Internet company.

New Home Sales

Builders and real estate agents can showcase entire lines of homes, bothready-to-occupy and projected buildings. Model homes, rendered drawings,and floor plans can be interactively toured. New home sellers typicallyhave a larger budget, so builders and realtors can produce a glamorouspresentation that appeals to a high-dollar market. Individual realestate agents can send newsletters to clients, and can give personalizedupdates to customers looking for a specific dream home. A mortgagecalculator can be another viewer that shows anticipated monthlypayments.

Existing Real-Estate Sales

Existing home sales outpace the new home industry by 20 times. Becausetheir inventory line is continuously changing, real estate agents whosell pre-owned homes can take advantage of the auto-composition aspectof BeeZip. They can quickly delete and add to the listing with their owndigital camera, and speedily send new listings to interested prospects.Video tours and slide shows of the premises—indoors and out—helpcustomers visualize themselves in that home. Community services, schooldistricting, covenants, and restrictions can all be accessed byinterested prospects.

Product Sales

Business-to-business and business-to-customer relationships can bestrengthened by a personal, secure, private form of communication.Customers can be alerted to new lines and models of products and salesstaff can offer pre-announcement previews without alerting theircompetition. Preferred customer discounts encourage buyer loyalty;interactive ads permit customers to “try on” a product before purchasingand learn more than a paper ad or email allows. Businesses working withdistributors can plan sales promotions and track progress as well ashighlight a products' selling points. Questions about product featurescan be asked with confidentiality and speed.

Newsletters

Businesses, organizations and other entities can send communications inmultiple formats, customized to the specific needs of each recipient.Feedback can be instantaneous; networking and planning can be sharedwith selected members.

Fan Clubs

A music company could deliver the BeeZip viewer on a music CD. Thiscould be used as a way for the music company or artist to communicatedirectly with their fans. They could send letters, music clips ofsoon-to-be-released music, or even full-length music videos. This methodalso allows the consumer to purchase products associated with theartist.

Further, sports teams, rock stars, Hollywood actors, pet breeds, andautomobiles all have intensely loyal followings. With a BeeZip icon ontheir desktop, these fans can be the first to learn about upcomingappearances, developments, and new products. Distributors will enjoy ahigher profit by not having to market fan merchandise throughtraditional retail outlets. Knowing when their favorite team orperformer is coming to town will increase ticket sales. Newsletters canoffer background information unavailable elsewhere. In the case ofperforming musicians, offering the BeeZip viewer on a retail CD willallow the link to be established and continue indefinitely.

Family Photos and Information

The miles between family members can feel diminished by establishing anongoing family reunion with BEE-Zip. Family genealogy and snapshots ofnew babies and weddings can be shared; upcoming travel plans can becoordinated and letter-writing can be pipe-lined to multiple familymembers.

Movie Theatres and Video Rentals

BeeZip can provide clips of coming attractions on the desktop to enticemovie fans to the theatres. Automatic video reservations assure the fansthat their desired selection will be available at the video rentalstore, by responding to the BEE-Zip advertising comlet. By offeringfrequent shopper incentives and printable discounts through BeeZip,movie buffs have an incentive to keep going back. Cinema distributorsspend millions to advertise their latest features. Offering athree-minute snippet on a customer's computer desktop is a focusedwelcome presentation.

Financial Services

A periodic update from an accountant, a hot tip from the stock broker,and an alert of upcoming maturity for investments will keep clients inthe loop on where their money is going and how to keep more of it forthemselves. Offering strategies aimed at particular customers' needshelps professionals increase loyalty and commissions, yet also resultsin satisfied clients.

Restaurants

Preferred customer discounts and a listing of specialties and promotionsincreases traffic through the door. Patrons with food sensitivities orspecial needs can contact the chef to ask for special consideration orrequest a list of ingredients before trying a new item.

Schools

Teachers can post class assignments or initiate private conferences withindividual parents. School staff can send targeted announcements tospecific families—from sports practice schedules, to academiccompetitions, to the availability of tutoring. The school's handbook andcode of conduct can be posted for consultation by parents and students;cafeteria menus and activity calendars can be sent, and because BeeZipis private and confidential, phone numbers and addresses can be sharedwith recipients. Even the administration and board of education canparticipate by posting meeting transcripts, newsletters, and contactinformation.

Interactive Auctions and Collectibles

Buyers and sellers can connect to buy, sell and swap with a new level ofconvenience. Seekers can post a query for their desired items and benotified when it's put on the auction block. Confidentiality is assuredand a high-quality preview of the item for sale is possible with BeeZip.Buyers can examine items for quality and general appropriateness beforesubmitting a bid. Credit card processing and order tracking allow theentire process to take place in front of a computer screen. Note,however, that BeeZip, because of its offline nature, may not bereal-time enough to be an effective auction bidding system. Although itmay be great for letting people know about stuff that will be displayedon auction. The author or subscriber can also post “desired items” andhave them download without having to actively get on the Internet.

Market Research and Customer Surveys

Many Americans participate in opinion polls and market preferenceresearch. BeeZip allows the pollster to select survey candidates thatfit a certain criteria and organize the research question and data.Responding to surveys and research is easier for the individual client.Interactive displays allow a client to experience the product beforeoffering his opinion.

Non-Profits and Political Parties

Anyone promoting a cause, concern or candidate knows that the bestsource of donations is established supporters. Supporters who installBeeZip on the their desktop invite ongoing communication about theirfavorite projects and will respond with support, donations, and votes.Political platforms, rallies and fund-raisers can be announced andtargeted to those most likely to respond.

Medical Services

The family doctor or dentist, a plastic surgeon and an outpatientsurgery client can all use BeeZip to establish a private dialogue withpatients. Those requiring monitoring of ongoing conditions can filereports from home that are monitored by professionals in the office.Questions on upcoming procedures can be asked in confidence, backgroundinformation on various condition can be obtained, and billing recordscan be accessed. Video presentations can educate patients on conditionsand procedures.

Lawn Care

Reviewing landscaping options, scheduling mowing services, andmonitoring weather conditions can be done through BeeZip to streamlineoperations and keep customers informed and happy.

Rising Stars

Being able to produce and promote oneself helps a singer, actor orathlete convince agents and executives. Audio and video clips canshowcase skill, and the multi-media personalized presentation formatdemonstrates to potential supporters a sophistication and commitment totechnology. BeeZip provides an updated, superior alternative to sendingin a demo CD or video because it improves the future interaction anddialogue with the prospect.

Employment Services

Prospective employers and employ can view photos, resumes, companyprofiles and salary packages before scheduling an interview. A companyseeking a particular type of employee needs only to specify the criteriaand the employment agency will BeeZip a file of likely candidates. Jobseekers can hone in on likely companies across the country, inquireabout policies and compensation, and determine if the fit is likely tobe a good one.

Other Applications/Uses

The above are just examples of potential uses of the BeeZip technologythat benefit from combination of the private dialogue with robustpresentations achieved by the present invention. Many, many otherapplications will also be seen and understood by the artisan once theabove description of the present invention is read and understood.

Example Translet

Although many different kinds of translets are envisioned within thescope of the present invention, one example translet will integrate withboth a phone and Palm Pilot type PIMS to create voice annotation forcomlets. The way it will work (from the user's perspective) is givenbelow. The author first creates some type of comlet with a primarytranslet application. The primary translet could create a welcome screencomlet, a letter comlet, business card comlet, collage comlet, etc. Thetranslet presented to the author has a checkbox next to the submitbutton called “add voice annotation.” In a first embodiment, when theauthor presses the submit button, the translet asks the author to recorda message as a voice recorded PIM and place the PIM in a caddy attachedto the authors' computer. The translet then detects the new message,adds it to the comlet, and then sends the comlet to the hub fordistribution.

In an alternative embodiment, when the author presses the submit button,the translet immediately sends a comlet to the hub without any voiceannotation. When the hub receives the comlet marked for telephoneannotation, it rings the phone number of the author via a voice modembank connected to the hub, and asks the author to record his message.When the author hangs up, the annotation is added to the comlet and thenqueued for distribution.

While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodimentsit is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedisclosed embodiments but on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

1. A client executing on data provided by a server, said clientcomprising: a first executable code having a base level functionality;and a computing device, said computing device receiving content fromsaid server, said content including a partial executable code and saiddata, said partial executable code enabling said client to execute onsaid data.
 2. The client of claim 1, wherein first base levelfunctionality is completed by said partial executable code to enablesaid client to execute on said data.
 3. The client of claim 1, whereinsaid server provides a second executable code to said client, saidsecond executable code being used to provide the first executable codeto said client.
 4. The client of claim 1, wherein the base levelfunctionality enable said client to establish a dedicated channel withsaid server.
 5. The client of claim 1, wherein said data comprises atleast one of a graphic, a photograph, an e-mail, a music, a voicemessage, a video, an interactive program, or a media.
 6. The client ofclaim 1, wherein said client executes on said data using said firstexecutable code and said partial code independent of any otherexecutable code installed on said client.
 7. The client of claim 1,wherein said first executable code is provided to said client by one ofa compact disk, a digital video disk, a floppy disk, an e-mail, or a website location.
 8. The client of claim 1, wherein said client is adesktop computer.
 9. A method of communicating content from a server toa computing device, said method comprising: a. loading a firstexecutable code having a base level functionality in a memory associatedwith said computing device; and b. communicating content from saidserver to said computing device, said content including a partialexecutable code and a data, said partial executable code enabling saidcomputing device to execute on said data.
 10. The method of claim 9wherein the base level functionality is completed by said partialexecutable code to enable said computing device to execute on said data.11. The method of claim 9, wherein said server provides a secondexecutable code to said computing device, said second executable codeloading the first executable code into said memory.
 12. The method ofclaim 9, wherein said base level functionality enables said computingdevice to establish a dedicated channel with said server.
 13. The methodof claim 9, wherein said data comprises at least one of a graphic, aphotograph, an e-mail, a music, a voice message, a video, an interactiveprogram, or a media.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein said computingdevice executes on said data using said first executable code and saidpartial code independent of any other executable code installed on saidcomputing device.
 15. The method of claim 9, wherein said firstexecutable code is loaded into said memory from one of a compact disk, adigital video disk, a floppy disk, an e-mail, or a web site location.16. The client of claim 9, wherein said computing device is a desktopcomputer.
 17. A client executing on data provided by a server, saidclient comprising: a first executable code having a base levelfunctionality; and a computing device, said computing device executingsaid first executable code to establish an interface between said clientand said server, said server providing content to said client, saidcontent including a partial executable code and said data, said partialexecutable code enabling said client to execute on said data.
 18. Theclient of claim 17, wherein first base level functionality is completedby said partial executable code to enable said client to execute on saiddata.
 19. A method of executing on data received from a server to acomputing device, said method comprising: a. communicating content fromsaid server to said computing device, said content including a partialexecutable code and a data; b. executing on said data using a firstexecutable code having a base functionality and said partial executablecode.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein said partial executable codecompletes said base functionality of said first executable code toenable said computing device to execute on said data.